Electromechanically and manually operable switch mechanism



Aug-V25, 1970 s. B. RoBBlNs 3,525,950

ELECTROMECHANICALLY AND MANUALLY OPERABLE SWITCH MECHANISM Filed Jan..28, 1969 2 Sheets-Sheet l u w l wa: HTTOR EY v26 O75 Z- O Aug. 25, 1970s, B, ROBB|NS 3,525,960

ELECTROMECHANICALLY AND MANUALLY OPERABLE SWITCH MECHNISM Filed Jan. 28,1969 2 sheets-sheet 2 o tuffi-n @ze J fa :O' j i@ 4 wir m4. .a//./ n A AT 7' RNE Y yp,"

United States Patent O Us. Cl. ass- 18s z Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE The switch mechanism includes a manually manipulatableactuator pivotally supported within a switch housing for movement inopposite directions between rst and second positions. The actuatorcarries mobile cont-act means which are movable into engagement withrespective ones of stationary contacts carried by the switch housing toeffect first and second switching functions when the actuator is movedto its first and second posi-tions, respectively. The switch mechanismalso includes an electromechanical means operatively connected with theactuator for mov-ing the same between itsv positions, the connectiontherebetween being such that the actuator can be manually manipulatedwithout disturbing the normal operational position of theelectromechanical means.

1 The present invention relates to a switch mechanism, and moreparticularly to a switch mechanism of the general type having a manuallymanipulatable actuating means movable in opposite directions betweenfirst `and lsecond positions for selectively effecting differentswitching functions, `means effective to biasingly hold the actuator inthe position in which it is moved and an electromechanical meansoperatively connected with the actuator and operable, when energized, tomove the actuator between its positions.

-A general object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved switch mechanism of the general type referred to above, andwhich is of a highly practical and economical construction, highlyreliable in operation and of a construction and arrangement such thatits mobile contacts will remain in engagement with its associatedstationary contacts and not bounce when subjected to vibrational forces.

lAnother object of the present invention is toprovide a new and improvedswitch mechanism ofthe general type referred to above, and in which themanually manipulatable actuator is pivotally supported by a switchhousing for movement in opposite directions about a fixed axis andinwhich the electromechanical means is connected with the actuator in amanner such that the actuator can be manually moved between itspositions without disturbing the normal operational position of theelectromechanical means so that the electromechanical means is alwaysoperatively disposed with respect to the actuator so as to ice preferredembodiment, are carried out by providing a manually manipulatableactuator which is pivotally connected within a switch housing formovement about an axis between first and second positions and whichcarries mobile contact means which are selectively engageable withstationary'contacts carried by the housing when moved to its first andsecond positions. The actuator is provide-d with an invertedV-shapedslot having a rounded, constant radius apex at 4the upper side of theslot and a pointed apex at the lower side of the slot, the slotslidaybly receiving one end ofa link member connected with a core of asingle solenoid means. The end of the link member is biased toward aposition in which it is Verti, cally aligned with the pivot axis of theactuator by a spring and guide arrangement. This construction andarrangement enables the actuator to be manually manipulated withoutaffecting the normal position of the electromechanical means and enablesthe electromechanical means when actuated to move the actuator betweenits positions. i

The present invention further resides in various novel constructions andarrangement of parts, and further objects, novel characteristics andadvantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled inthe art to which it relates and from the following detailed descriptionof the preferred illustrated embodiment thereof made with reference tothe accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and inwhich similar reference numerals or characters are employed to designatecorresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view, with portionsv shown inelevation, of the preferred embodiment of the switch mechanism of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view similar to that shown in FIG. 1, butshowing certain parts thereof in different po-v sitions; i

FIG. 3 is a sectional view, with portions shown in elevation, takenapproximately along line 3-3 of FIG. l;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of part of the switch mech- -anism shown inFIG. l;

FIGS. 5 and 6 areviews l, but showing different similar to that shown inFG. parts thereof in different posi- FIG. 7 is a view similar to thatshown in FIG. 5, but 'with additional parts shown in elevation; and FIG.8 is a schematic' wiring diagram for controlling operation of a solenoidmeans of the switch mechanism shown in FIG. l.

The present inventionprovides a novel switch mecha nism and inparticular a novel switch mechanism .which can be either manuallyoperated or operated from are'- mote location to selectively controlenergization and de energ-ization of a plurality of electric circuits.Although the switch mechanism of the present invention could be used invarious applications where both manual and remote control of a pluralityof switching functions are required or desired, it is particularlyuseful in vehicular -controlling energizationuand`de-energization ofapair` of elec-tric circuits.

As representing a preferred embodiment of the present invention, thedrawings show a switch mechanism A. The switch mechanism A comprises, ingeneral, a switch housing 10, a plurality of stationary contacts orterminals 11, 12, =13 and 14 carried by the housing 10, a manuallymanipulatable actuating means 15 carried by the housing 10 and which ismanually movable in opposite directions between rst and secondpositions, and an electromechanical means operatively connected with themanually manipulatable actuating means 15 and which is also operable tomove the actuating means 15 between its first and second positions. Theactuating means 15 broadly comprises an actuator 21 pivotally supportedby the housing 10, a mobile contact means 22 carried by the actuator 21and selectively engageable with respective ones of the stationarycontacts when the actuator 21 is moved between its first and secondpositions, and a snap acting, over center spring 24 for moving themobile contacts means 22 into engagement with the stationary contactswith a snap action when the actuator 21 is moved over dead center midwaybetween its path of travel between its positions and for biasinglyholding the mobile contact means l-22 in engagement with the stationarycontacts.

The housing 10 is adapted to be mounted on a suitable support structureof the vehicle and in a manner such that the actuator `21 is readilyaccessible to the operator of the vehicle for manual manipulation. Forthe purposes of description, the housing 10 will be described as beingsupported by the vehicle in a vertical position.

The housing 10 is made from a suitable plastic or electrically insulatedmaterial and is of a generally rectangular shape. The housing 10 hasvertically disposed side walls 26 and an upper horizontally disposed endwall 27 provided with a slot 27a through which the actuator 21 extends.The stationary terminals 11, 12, 13 and 14 are secured to the side walls26 of the housing 10 and project interiorly of the housing 10.

The stationary terminals 11 and 13 and 12 and 14 are vertically aligned,but spaced from each other, and have convex contact surfaces. Theterminals 13 and 14 are integral with each other and connected by asuitable wire or conductor (not shown) to ground. The terminals 11 and12 are in suitable circuits (not shown) with a battery and devices to becontrolled.

The mobile contact means 22 comprises a leaf spring member having convexcontact surfaces integral with its upper and lower sides at its oppositeends. The mobile contact means 22 is secured to the underside of theactuator 21 as by rivets 29.

The actuator 21 has an upper nger portion 21a which is adapted to bemanually grasped by the operator and an inner generally triangularlyshaped base portion 2lb. The base portion 2lb of the actuator 21 ispivotally connected by a pivot pin means 30 to opposite side walls 26 ofthe housing 10 for movement in opposite directions about the axis 30a ofthe pin 30.

The actuator 21 is movable between its first position, as shown in FIG.1, in which it holds the mobile contact means 22 is engagement with thestationary contacts 11 and 14 to provide a conductive path between theselatter contacts to enable a rst circuit to be completed and a secondposition, as shown in FIG. 2, wherein the actuator 21 holds the mobilecontact means 22 in engagement with the stationary contacts 12 and 13 toprovide a conductive path therebetween to enable a second circuit to becompleted.

The actuator 21 when moved from one position toward its other positionis moved to the other position during the latter portion of its travelby a snap action and then biasingly held in the position in which it hasbeen moved. To this end, the over center, sna-p acting spring 24 isprovided. The spring 24 comprises a resilient, one-piece, generallyU-shaped member having one end connected by a pin to the actuator 21 andits other end connected by a pin 36 to the housing 10. As shown in FIG.1, the disposition of the U-shapedspring 24 is such that as the actuator21 is moved from its -rst position toward its second position, as shownin FIG. 2, it will move the legs of the U-shaped spring towards eachother to compress the spring 24 until the actuator is in a top deadcenter position, i.e., vertically disposed. As the actuator 21 is movedpast its top dead center position the spring 24 is no longer beingcompressed and its self-biasing force will cause the legs thereof tomove away from each other and move the mobile contact means 22 intoengagement with the terminals 11 and 14 with a snap action.

The actuator 21 can also be moved between its rst and second positionsfrom a remote `location by energizing the electromechanical means 20.The electromechanical means 20 comprises a solenoid means 50 carried bythe housing 10. The solenoid means 50 comprises an upper pole piece 51in abutting engagement with inwardly extending projections 52 on thehousing 10, `a side pole piece 5-4 connected with the upper pole pieceand a bottom pole piece or base 55 suitably secured as by screws 56 tothe housing 10. The solenoid means 50 further includes an annular coil60 having a central through opening 61 therein 4which slidably receivesa core 62 or armature made of iron or other suitable material. The core62 extends through a central Athrough opening 64 in the upper pole piece51 and is linearly movable along an axis which is normal to andintersects pivot axis 30a of the pivot pin 30 for the actuator 21.

The upper end of the solenoid core 62 is pivotally connected to ahorizontally extending pin-like portion 65a of a link or member 65. Thelink 65 also includes a stepped intermediate portion 6511` and ahorizontally extending pin-like portion 65e adjacent its other end. Theother horizontally extending end portion 65e of the link 65 is slidablyreceived within a cam slot 70 formed within the base portion 2lb of theactuator 21 and located above the axis 30a of the pivot pin 30.

The cam slot 70 is generally in the shape of an inverted V and includeslinearly extending side portions 71 and 72. It also has a rounded,constant radius recessed apex 73 at its upper side edge and a pointedapex 74 at its lower side edge. The apex 74 is located relative to theapex 73 such that a plane containing the apex 74 and the axis 30a of thepivot pin means 30 bisects the rounded apex 73 at the upper side edge ofthe slot 70.

The link 65 and core 62 are biased toward an upper or rst position,shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in which the upper end portion 65e of the link65 is disposed vertically above the pivot pin 30 and received in therecessed apex 73. To this end, a spring and guide arrangement,designated generally by reference numeral is provided. The spring andguide arrangement includes a tension spring 81 having one end suitablyconnected to the upper end 27 of the housingv 10 and its other endsuitably connected to the step 84 of the intermediate portion 65b of thelink 65. The spring 81 is guided by a guide in the form of an ear 85secured to the intermediate portion 65b of the link 65 and which has anopening 86 therethrough through which the spring 81 extends. As bestshown in FIG. 7, the spring force is such that it tends to maintain thespring 81 straight, which in turn causes the spring to bear against theside wall dening the opening 86 in the ear 85 and bias the link 65 tothe position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in which the upper end portionthereof is vertically aligned with the pivot pin 30.

The solenoid means 50 is operable toV move the actuating means 15 fromits first position, as shown in FIG.' l, to its second position, asshown in FIGS. 2 or 5, in response to energization of the solenoid coil60. When the solenoid coil 60 is energized, it causes the core 62 to bedrawn in a downward direction from its position shown in FIG. 1.Movement of the core 62 in this direction causes the link 65 to be moveddownwardly, which in turn causes the upper end portion 65C thereof tomove from right portion of the recessed apex: 73 and engage the lowerwall surface defining the lower side of the slot portion 72. As the-upper end portion 65c of the link 65 engages the side wall of the slotportion 72 it causes the actuator 21 to be cammed in a clockwisedirection, as viewed in FIG. 1, about its pivot axis 30a. The link 65during its downward movement is also f ree to pivot relative to the core62 due to the pivotal connection therebetween. As the actuator 21 movespast top dead center, the spring 24 will function to move the actuator21 during the remaining portion of its movement to its second position,as shown in FIGS. 2 or Sfand in the same manner as hereinbeforedescribed. When the actuating means 15 is in its second position, asshown in FIG. 5,

rand the solenoid coil 60 is de-energized the spring 81,

whose mid-portion has been defiected laterally out of alignment with aline drawn betweenits ends (see FIG. 7) will cause the ear 85 and hencethe link 65 to be moved in the direction of the arrow 90 until the upperportion 65C is again in vertical alignment with the pivot axis 30aand-1i disposed within the left portion of the recessed apex 73, asshown in FIG. 6. x

Movement of the actuator means 15 from its second position to its firstposition is effected by again momentarily energizing the solenoid coil60.v The,r same mode of operation takes place except that the upper end.portion 65e of the link 65 will now cooperate with the lower walldefining` the slot portion 71 to effect a camming action of the actuatorin a counterclockwise direction.

As schematically shown in FIG. 8, the solenoid' coil 60 is respectivelyconnected via suitable wires 92 and 93 to ground and one terminal ofpush button switch 94. 'Ihe other terminal of the switch 94 is connectedvia a wire 95 to one terminal of a battery 96, the other terminal of thebattery 96 being connected to ground via wire 97. As isl apparent fromthe above, the push button switch 94, when depressed, completes acircuit from the battery 96 through wire 95, switch 94, wire 93,solenoid coil 60, wire 92 to ground.

An important advantage of the novel switch mechanism A is that theactuating means 15 can be manually manipulated between its rst andsecond positions without effecting the normal or ready position "of theelectromechanical means 20. The provision of the slot and pin connectionbetween the actuator 21 and the link 65 enables the actuating member 21to be pivotally moved between its first and second positions withoutaffecting the vertical position of the link member with respect tothepivot axis 30a of the pivot pin 30. Although a slight downward carmningmovement of the link member 65 occurs during movement of the actuator 21since it is necessary to displace the link 65 from the right orleft`portion of the recessed apex73 in which it is disposed to the otherportion of the apex 73, the spring 81 will immediately return the link65 back to its previous position even though it will be disposed in theother portion of the recessed apex 73.

Another advantage of the switch mechanism A is that the link 65 isalways biased toward the position in which it is vertically disposedabove the pivot pin 30 by the spring and guide arrangement 80. Thisinsures that the electromechanical means 20 is always properlypositioned to effect movement of the actuator 21 from the position itisnow in to the desired position in response to energization of the ,coil60. This provides for a very positive and reliable switching operation.A further advantage is that only a single solenoid means is necessary toeffect movement of the actuator in opposite ydirections between itspositions. Additionally, by providing the rounded apex 73 and thepointed apex 74 of the cam slot 70 in conjunction with the spring andguide arrangement 80 insures that the electromechanical means 20 willalways be returned or remain in its ready position, "as shown in FIGS. land 2, even though the switch mechanism A is subjected to vibration orshock loads.

Although the illustrated preferred embodiment thereof has been describedin great detail, it should be apparent that certain modifications,changes, and adaptations may be made therein, and that it is intended tocover all such modifications, changes and adaptations which come withinthe scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A switch mechanism for selectively effecting iirst and secondswitching functions comprising: a housing; a manually manipulatableactuator pivotally supported by said housing for movement in oppositedirections about a iixed axis between first and second positions; aplurality of stationary contacts carried by said housing; mobile contactmeans carried by said actuator and engageable with selective ones ofsaid stationary contacts to effect first and second switching functionswhen said actuator is moved to its first and second positions,respectively; means for releasably retaining said actuator in theposition in which it ismoved; said actuator having a cam slot thereinincluding -iirst and second recess portions, and electromechanical meansfor moving said actuator between its first and second positions; saidelectromechanical means including a member slidably received within saidslot, spring means for biasing said member into said iirst and secondrecess portions when said actuator is in its iirst and second positions,respectively, said member being'v effective to cam said actuator fromthe position in which it is disposed to its other position in responseto energization of said electromechanical means.

2. A switch mechanism for selectively effecting first and secondswitching functions comprising: a switch housing; a manuallymanipulatable actuator pivotally supported by said housing for movementin opposite directions about a fixed axis between first and secondpositions; a plurality of stationary contacts carried by said housing;mobile contact means carried by said actuator and engageable withselective ones of said stationary contacts to effect first and secondswitching functions when said actuator is moved to its first and secondpositions, respectively; snap acting, over center spring meansoperatively connected with said housing and said actuator, said springmeans effecting a snap action movement of said actuator toward theposition in which it is being moved as it is moved past dead centermidway between its first and second positions and biasingly holding saidactuator in the position in which it is moved; said actuator having agenerally inverted V-shaped slot therein, said slot having a roundedrecess at its apex, said recess including rst and second portionsdisposed on opposite sides of a plane passing through the apex of theV-shaped slot and which bisects the included angle of the V-shaped slot;an electromechanical means for moving said actuator between its firstand second positions; said electromechanical means comprising aselectively energizable solenoid having a linearly movable core, a linkmember having one end pivotally connected to one end of said core andthe other end s lidably disposed within said slot in said actuator;second spring means operatively connected with said housing and saidlink member for biasing said link member toward the apex of saidgenerally V-shaped slot and into said first or second recess portionswhen said actuator is disposed in said first and second position,respectively, said solenoid when energized causing said core to moveaway from said actuator member to cause said other end of said link tomove within said slot and cam said actuator member from the position inwhich it was located to its other position, said second spring meansbeing effective to ret-urn the other end of said link to its verticallyaligned position with respect to the pivot axis of the actuator and intothe other recess portion disposed thereat when said solenoid isde-energized, said link member including an ear portion having anopening therethrough through which said second spring means extends 7 8'whereby when said link member isbiased toward a posi- 2,922,861". g1/,1-960 -White. i l i a y' tion in which it is disposed within one of said recess y3,153,124; -10/1964 Buryf -..e.g;` 335-.-186

portions of said inverted V-shaped slot.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,966,285 7/1934 Deans. f j Y`U."'s.gC1. XR. 2,434,070 1/1948 Gross 3315-190 20o- 1.53

BERNARD. GTLHEANY, NPrimary Examiner 5 H.BRooMEASistamExniinef"j

